Care Academy

The care academy is an innovative partnership which enables students at Petroc College to undertake a 10 week placement at North Devon District Hospital, It has recently been selected as a beacon of best practice for others to follow, both locally and nationally.

The scheme consists of rotational placements where A-Level and BTEC health and social care students get to work alongside NHS staff in a variety of clinical areas at NDDH – including theatres, outpatients, physiotherapy, radiology, audiology and podiatry – and learn about the diverse nature of the services provided in an acute hospital.

The aim is to provide possible future employment opportunities for local young people who are studying at Petroc and wish to develop a career in health and social care, and retain much-needed talent in the area.

The scheme is in line with the recently-published Talent for Care national strategy for developing the healthcare support workforce of the future and the broader Widening Participation agenda of the NHS.